Secondary abstract: |
Introduction: Nowadays, good hygiene practice is used in all areas that can have a significant impact on human health. It is implemented by a small percentage of individuals, which makes it a constant challenge. In order to improve this, nudging tools for hygiene behavior have been developed, which subconsciously encourage the individual to perform the desired parameter. Examples of activity where employees and children constantly come into contact with infections are educational institutions (kindergartens). Purpose: By observing the working process in the selected kindergartens, we wanted to determine the time, technique, and frequency of handwashing among childcare workers and children. In the case of the first ones, we wanted to find out whether they also wear personal protective work equipment. Based on the findings, we wanted to implement the selected nudging tools for better hygiene behavior Methods: In the master’s thesis, we used a descriptive method of working with an empirical approach in the case study. In order to collect data, we prepared an observation list on the basis of which we openly observed the childcare workers and children in their hygienic behavior in two kindergartens. In order to improve hygienic behavior, we selected, set, and tested several nudging tools and observed the selected groups again. Then, we analyzed all the obtained data and compared the results of observation before and after the introduction of the nudging tools. The data was analyzed using the Excel computer program. In order to calculate the results, we used the basic calculation for the consistency of the handwashing for childcare workers and the method of scaling for the children. Results: In the first half of the observation, we found that the hygienic behavior of childcare workers and children is poor. The reasons for this are poor knowledge of the importance of hygienic tidiness, washing hands, and wearing personal protective work equipment. In addition, superficiality and rush in handwashing are also contributing to poor hygienic behavior. After setting the nudging tools, hygienic behavior improved in all the observed groups. Most improvements were observed in handwashing among children. Discussion and conclusions: The results suggest that the use of nudging tools in kindergartens can significantly contribute to the better implementation of hygienic behavior (especially handwashing) in childcare workers and children. Consequently, we conclude that with the tools for promoting hygiene behavior, the incidence of infectious diseases in kindergartens can be reduced. We can direct children towards the healthier and hygienically appropriate way of life by means of the appropriate hygiene behavior. |